Dissection of Hard-Water, an Aqueous Nickel Ore Solution
Hard-water is an aqueous solution of nickel ore, primarily composed of sodium as a key component. It is used in a number of industries, from aerospace engineering to oil and fuel production. Hard-water is also used in some industrial processes, such as in the manufacturing of catalysts and other materials. In addition, hard-water can be used to aid in the removal of toxins and lubrication of surfaces. In this experiment, hard-water is converted into an aqueous solution of the two simpler components, sodium and nickel.
First, a sample of hard-water is obtained and mixed with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and copper sulfate in a mortar. As the reaction proceeds, the copper sulfate is slowly converted into copper oxide. This copper oxide reacts with the sulfuric acid present to form nickel sulfate, a component of hard-water. The reaction of copper oxide with sulfuric acid is called a redox reaction, and is often used to dissolve metals.
After the redox reaction, the mixture is then neutralized with a base, such as sodium bicarbonate. This neutralization causes the nickel sulfate to precipitate out of the aqueous solution, with the remainder being aqueous sodium chloride solution. The nickel sulfate nanoparticles that are produced in this step form a white precipitate at the bottom of the container. This precipitate can then be filtered and collected.
To further analyze the composition of the nickel sulfate, it is necessary to analyze the solution using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). This method can accurately measure the concentration of various elements, including sodium and nickel, in the sample. The results of this analysis will help to determine the exact composition of the hard-water sample and its breakdown into constituent elements.
After the elemental analysis is complete, the nickel sulfate is then heated in a vacuum furnace to separate the nickel from the sodium. The nickel is in a molten form, and can be further refined by casting or other methods. Once refined, the nickel can be used for various industrial purposes, such as in the manufacturing of catalysts.
Ultimately, this experiment has shown that hard-water can be effectively separated into its two constituent elements, sodium and nickel. Through utilizing a combination of redox reactions, filtration, and an ICP-MS, larger hard-water solutions can be broken down into their individual components. This makes it easier to obtain precise measurements of the concentration of each element, and makes it possible to undertake further refining processes which require more precise measurements. The result is a more efficient and cost-effective solution when it comes to hard-water applications.
